Shim made from a plastic material and an associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface

ABSTRACT

A shim is disclosed. The shim includes a body member having (i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall segment attached to and extending from the first end of the top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and extending from the second end of the top wall segment, and (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, the third end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the first end wall segment, and the fourth end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the second end wall segment The top wall segment, the first end wall segment, the second end wall segment and the bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a shim and an associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface. The present invention particularly relates to a shim having a body member made from a plastic material and an associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface with the shim.

[0002] Typically, a shim is a thin piece of wood which is used to adjust the spatial relationship between two surfaces. For example, a shim can be placed in between a surface defined on a frame member of a door and a surface defined on a frame member of a house. Once the shim is positioned in the above described manner, a tool, such as a hammer can be utilized to advance the shim between the two surfaces, and thus adjust the spatial relationship between the door and the frame member of the house. However, heretofore, a problem with shims is that they tend to break or splinter when they are driven between the two surfaces. The breaking of shims during the process of trying to adjust the spatial relationship between, for example a door and a frame member of a house, is inconvenient and a source of frustration for the person using the shim. In addition, the undesirable breakage of shims can be dangerous and costly.

[0003] Therefore, in light of the above discussion, it is apparent that a shim and an associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface, which addresses one or more of the above discussed drawbacks is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shim. The shim includes a body member having (i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall segment attached to and extending from the first end of the top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and extending from the second end of the top wall segment, and (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, the third end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the first end wall segment, and the fourth end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the second end wall segment. The top wall segment, the first end wall segment, the second end wall segment and the bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic material.

[0005] Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface. The method includes (a) inserting a shim having a body member which is made out of a plastic material into a space defined between the first surface and the second surface such that the body member is in contact with the first surface and the second surface and (b) advancing the body member into the space so that the first surface is moved relative to the second surface.

[0006] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an a shim. The shim includes a body member made out of a plastic material.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful shim.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved shim.

[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and useful method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface.

[0011] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a shim which incorporates the features of the present invention therein;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shim shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the shim shown in FIG. 1 being inserted into a space defined between a surface of a frame member and a surface of another frame member (note that a fragmentary view of a hammer is also shown).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a shim 10 which incorporates the features of the present invention therein. Shim 10 includes a body member 52. Body member 52 includes a top wall segment 12 having an end 44 and an end 46. Body member 52 also includes an end wall segment 22 attached to and extending from end 44 of top wall segment 12. Body member further 52 further includes an end wall segment 20 attached to and extending from end 46 of top wall segment 12. Body member 52 still further includes a bottom wall segment 14 having an end 48 and an end 50. Body member 52 also includes a side wall segment 16 interposed between and attached to top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14. Body member 52 also includes a side wall segment 18 (which is substantially identical to side wall segment 16) interposed between and attached to top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14. End 50 of bottom wall segment 14 is attached to end wall segment 20. End 48 of bottom wall segment 14 is attached to end wall segment 22. It should be appreciated that top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14 are substantially identical and, as previously mentioned, a side wall segment 18 and side wall segment 16 are also substantially identical.

[0017] Preferably, body member 52 is constructed from a solid piece of plastic material. What is meant herein by plastic material is a polymeric material of large molecular weight which can be shaped by flow. Examples of plastic material which can be utilized in the present invention include, but are not limited to, Poly(decamethylene carboxamide) poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) (nylon 11, Rislan), Poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (nylon 66, Bri-Nylon), Poly(hexamethylene sebacamide) (nylon 610), Polycaprolactam poly(pentamethylene carboxamide) poly(6-aminohexanoic acid) (nylon 6, Perlon, Caprolan), Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Dacron, Terylene, Fortrel, Mylar), Poly(butylene terephthalate), Poly(4,4′-isopropylidine-diphenyl carbonate) poly(4,4′-carbonato-2,2-diphenylpropane) (Lexan), Polyformaldehyde (Delrin, Celcon), Poly(2,6-xylenol) poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (Parlene), Poly(phenol-formaldehyde) resins (Bakelite), Poly(melamine-formaldehyde) resins, (Udel polysulfone), Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) copolymers (ABS polymers), and Polyethylene polymethylene, Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). It should be appreciated that having body member 52 made from a plastic material is an advantage of the present invention. In particular, having body member 52 made from a plastic material imparts greater strength to shim 10 and thus substantially prevents body member 52 from undesirably breaking during use. For example, shim 10 can be struck with a hammer 42 (see FIG. 3) without undesirably breaking or shattering. However, shim 10 can be purposefully cut or broken, if and when, desired. Furthermore, any appropriate plastic material can be utilized to make shim 10 as long as it (i) is strong enough to substantially prevent the undesirable breaking or shattering of body member 52, while still allowing the purposeful breaking or cutting thereof and (ii) is strong enough to so that it does not substantially bend or deform when a force is applied thereto (e.g. being struck with a hammer) so as to drive shim 10 in between two closely spaced surfaces. In other words, the plastic material shim 10 is made from must be stiff and strong enough such that body member 52 can have a sufficient force applied thereto so as to drive body member 52 in between two closely spaced surfaces without body member 52 bending or deforming to a degree which prevents body member 52 from being efficiently driven between the two aforementioned surfaces.

[0018] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, shim 10 is preferably shaped in the form of a wedge. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, end wall segment 20 has a height H₁ and end wall segment 22 has a height H₂, H₁ is greater than H₂ so that an angle α is defined between top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14. Preferably, angle α is less than 10°. More preferably, angle α is about 2°. In one embodiment of the present invention, H₁ of end wall segment 20 can be about ⅜ of an inch and H₂ of end wall segment 22 can be about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch. It should also be understood that top wall segment 12 has a length L₁ and a width W₁ and in one embodiment of the present invention L₁ about 14 inches and W₁ can be about 1.5 inches. Having shim 10 configured in the above described manner advantageously facilitates the insertion of shim 10 in between two closely spaced surfaces.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, shim 10 is utilized to adjust the spatial relationship between surface 26 defined on frame member 28 and surface 30 defined on frame member 32. In particular, body member 52 of shim 10 is inserted into a space 24 defined between surface 26 and surface 30 in the direction indicated by arrow 34 so that body member 52 is in contact with surface 26 and surface 30. Inserting shim 10 into space 24 in the direction indicated by arrow 34 results in frame member 28, and thus surface 26, moving relative to frame member 32 in the direction indicated by arrow 40. On the other hand, withdrawing shim 10 out of space 24 in the direction indicated by arrow 36 results in frame member 28, and thus surface 26, moving relative to frame member 32 in the direction indicated by arrow 38. Thus, it should be understood that shim 10 can be moved in the above described manner until frame member 28 is appropriately positioned relative to frame member 32. Once frame member 28 is appropriately positioned relative to frame member 32, frame member 28 can be nailed or otherwise fixed in relation to frame member 32 so as to maintain its desired position. Furthermore, if desired, once frame member 28 is appropriately positioned relative to frame member 32 with shim 10, shim 10 can be purposefully cut, or broken off, at a desired location, e.g. at a location so that no portion of shim 10 extends out of space 24, so that the portion remaining in space 24 facilitates maintaining the desired position of frame member 28. Note that the present invention is not limited to just one surface moving relative to another, both surfaces moving relative to another is also contemplated. Also note that, if necessary, shim 10 can be moved in the directions indicated by arrows 34 and 36 with the assistance of a tool since body member 52 is made from a plastic material and thus is strong enough to take such punishment. For example, shim 10 can be struck with hammer 42 without breaking or shattering.

[0020] Therefore, in light of the above discussion it should be appreciated that shim 10 can be utilized in the above described manner without undesirably breaking or shattering. For example, shim 10 can be utilized in the above described manner to adjust the position of surfaces defined on a door frame or a frame of a window without undesirably breaking or shattering. However, it should be appreciated that the use of shim 10 is not limited to adjusting window or door frames but rather can be used to adjust a wide variety of structural components. Thus the present invention address the aforementioned problem of shims tending to break or splinter when they are driven between two surfaces.

[0021] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. For example, while the mechanism described above for moving the sealing members from the first orientation to the second orientation has many benefits, other mechanisms may be used. One such mechanism may utilize pressure in the body cavity to force the sealing members against the interior surface thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shim, comprising: a body member which includes (i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall segment attached to and extending from said first end of said top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and extending from said second end of said top wall segment, and (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, said third end of said bottom wall segment being attached to said first end wall segment, and said fourth end of said bottom wall segment being attached to said second end wall segment, wherein said top wall segment, said first end wall segment, said second end wall segment and said bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic material.
 2. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said body member further includes (i) a first side wall segment interposed between and attached to said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment, and (ii) a second side wall segment interposed between and attached to said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment, wherein said first side wall segment and said second side wall segment are made from a plastic material.
 3. The shim of claim 2, wherein: said body member is a solid piece of plastic material.
 4. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said first end wall segment has a height H₁, said second end wall segment has a height H₂, said H₁ is greater than said H₂ such that an angle α is defined between said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment.
 5. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said angle α is less than 10°.
 6. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said angle α is about 2°.
 7. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said top wall segment has a width W₁ which is about 1.5 inches, and a length L₁ of about 14 inches.
 8. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said height H₁ of said first end wall segment is about ⅜ of an inch, and said height H₂ of said second end wall segment is about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch.
 9. A method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface, comprising: (a) inserting a shim having a body member which is made out of a plastic material into a space defined between said first surface and said second surface such that said body member is in contact with said first surface and said second surface; and (b) advancing said body member into said space so that said first surface is moved relative to said second surface.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein: (b) includes striking said shim with a hammer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein: said first surface is disposed on a frame of a door.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein: said first surface is disposed on a frame of a window.
 13. A shim, comprising: a body member made out of a plastic material.
 14. The shim of claim 13, wherein: said body member is defined by (i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall segment attached to and extending from said first end of said top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and extending from said second end of said top wall segment, (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, said third end of said bottom wall segment being attached to said first end wall segment, and said fourth end of said bottom wall segment being attached to said second end wall segment, (v) a first side wall segment interposed between and attached to said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment, and (vi) a second side wall segment interposed between and attached to said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment.
 15. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said body member is a solid piece of plastic material.
 16. The shim of claim 15, wherein: said first end wall segment has a height H₁, said second end wall segment has a height H₂, said H₁ is greater than said H₂ such that an angle α is defined between said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment.
 17. The shim of claim 16, wherein: said angle α is less than 10°.
 18. The shim of claim 16, wherein: said angle α is about 2°.
 19. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said top wall segment has a width W₁ which is about 1.5 inches, and a length L₁ of about 14 inches.
 20. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said height H₁ of said first end wall segment is about ⅜ of an inch, and said height H₂ of said second end wall segment is about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch. 